In the state of Nevada, asbestos exposure has been known to cause mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung Cancer and if you suffer from mesothelioma, you should contact a Nevada mesothelioma attorney to file a case against the company that caused your asbestos exposure. An experienced Nevada mesothelioma lawyer can help you seek retribution for your pain and suffering.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral and its fibers are known to cause many diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. This is because asbestos is composed of very fine, minute fibers which when released into the atmosphere, can easily be inhaled or ingested into the human respiratory system. Asbestos has been frequently been used in buildings and homes [1] in the early part of the twenties century. Some of these buildings are still being used and asbestos fibers are released in the atmosphere due to wear and tear of the materials.

How can asbestos affect my health?

There are many surveys and studies that have been conducted on the harmful effects of asbestos inhalation. Studies have also been conducted on the association of asbestos and diseases developed in people who have been exposed to asbestos by inhaling the fibers of the mineral [2]. It has been concluded that breathing asbestos fibers can lead to many complications and there are a number of health hazards associated to this. Some of the prominent risks that asbestos exposure in the form of breathable fibers poses to humans is the development of different forms of cancer. A rare type of lung cancer that affects the lining of the chest and abdomen known as mesothelioma is also associated with asbestos exposure as well as asbestosis which causes scarring of the lungs with fibrous tissues.

The severity of mesothelioma is directly associated with the amount of asbestos fibers inhaled and thus, the chances of developing this fatal condition also increase with an increased or prolonged exposure to small fibers of the mineral. Development of mesothelioma is also aided if the victim is a smoker, which makes the pathogenesis of the disease much more rapid. Asbestosis is also caused if the victims have been exposed to elevated levels of the mineral directly or indirectly, for a prolonged period of time, for example at a job site. The latency period of these diseases is very long, and it is for this reason that they may not present any symptoms for years, and in some cases, even decades after the initial exposure that caused the development of the disease. This makes it very difficult to confirm the diagnosis of diseases associated with asbestos. The Nevada environmental protection division has rules and regulations that monitor the handling of this harmful mineral in properties that have been built using asbestos [3]

Asbestos in the state of Nevada

According to various surveys, it has been found that there are nearly 121 locations which the presence of naturally occurring asbestos in the form of fibrous amphibole in different regions across Southwestern America[4]. Some of the prominent locations of these deposits include Utah, Nevada and Arizona. There are a total of twenty known sites of confirmed asbestos exposure in the state of Nevada and the exposure to the mineral has taken place in nine cities of the state. The greatest percentage of asbestos exposure was reported from Las Vegas which contains 11 sites that cause asbestos exposure and contamination. If you have been are diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should consult a Nevada mesothelioma lawyer and file a case as soon as possible.

Job sites with known asbestos exposure:

The following job sites have been known for asbestos exposure: in Winnemucca the Bechtel Corporation, in Las Vegas the Blue Diamond Sheet Rock Plant, International hotel, Caesars Palace, MGM hotel and Casino, Clark county Power House, the Sahara hotel, the Southern Nevada Public Service, The Nevada Power Company, the university of Nevada and Southern Nevada Public service. In Moapa the Moapa Reed Garden Station, the Stauffer Chemical Plant in Henderson, the Titanium Chemical Company also in Henderson, the red bank general hospital in red bank and the sunrise power plant in Stations.

These sites are among many more that have asbestos contaminated job sites where employees can be exposed to asbestos.

Effects of asbestos exposure:

Because asbestos is present in the water, soil and air naturally, many people who are exposed to it in small quantities and for a short period of time may not develop any diseases at all. But if these natural deposits that usually occur in rocks and in the soil are disturbed or exposed to the environment, minute fibers are released into the air. One of the most dangerous properties of these fibers include the fact that they can stay suspended in the air for prolonged periods of time and can also be carried to different locations with the wind. Any asbestos material or product that is prone to breakage or scrapping poses a grave threat to workers and residents nearby because the fibers that may get released into the air because of these materials can easily be ingested or inhaled into the human respiratory and digestive systems, depositing into the lungs and causing dangerous diseases which may also prove fatal to those who are exposed to these fibers. If you have worked at an asbestos contaminated job site and developed mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure you should contact an experienced Nevada mesothelioma attorney and file a case against the negligent company that caused this exposure.